BUSINESS HELPDESK FUTURE HELP DESK
THE 2025 BMF Members’ Day Conference and Awards conference saw the launch of
bmcareers.com - the website at the heart of the BMF’s Sector Awareness programme, with members who hadn’t already done so being urged to get involved prior to the start of an extensive public-facing campaign starting in February 2025. An afternoon workshop session devoted to Skills Development and Apprenticeships outlined the latest developments, including refinements within The Institute of Builders Merchants to advance the profession of merchanting. Delegates also heard about the progress made by the Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) to improve equity, diversity and inclusion across the construction industry. The CIC was launched at last year’s BMF Members Conference and the BMF is one of the organisations strategic partners.
The success of these initiatives will undoubtedly help future- proof our industry.
Sector Awareness The sector awareness campaign is a much-needed, long-term initiative to raise the public’s knowledge and understanding of the building materials industry. Research undertaken by YouGov over the Summer found that more than 67% would not currently consider a career in building materials, while the vast majority (9 out of 10) are unable to identify the types of businesses that make up our sector. Targeted at school and college leavers and their advisors, as well
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PROSPECTS
Securing the future of the building materials sector was a recurring theme at the BMF Members Conference last month, with a series of initiatives designed to position a vital, vibrant and inclusive sector, and showcase the wide range of career opportunities available.
those with existing skills looking to switch careers, the campaign aims to raise the visibility and attractiveness of a sector where people really can make a material difference to the environment around them.
Check out
bmcareers.com and see how we are using real people to spread the message about our fantastic sector. BMF members can also upload details and link to their own websites to give interested parties greater insight into their culture and current vacancies. Over 220 companies have already uploaded details or are in the process of doing so. Why not join them and reap the benefits? Email Jeremy.Harris@
bmf.org.uk to find out how to get involved.
Diversity
With many other industries competing for those making early career choices as a sector we need to embrace diversity in order generate a broader talent pool, to gain different ideas, new ways of working, and to deliver the
sustainable solutions we need to progress.
One the key takeaways from the CIC’s presentation was how diversity drives innovation by disrupting traditional norms of thought.
The value of diversity in the boardroom was further underlined in McKinsey’ s 2023 Diversity Matters report, the fourth in an annual series investigating the business case for diversity. The value has more than doubled over the past decade. McKinsey’s 2015 report found top-quartile companies worldwide had a 15 percent greater likelihood of financial outperformance versus their bottom-quartile peers; in the latest report, however, that figure hits 39 percent for both ethnic representation and the representation of women amongst senior executives.
Professionalism Just as employers want to upskill their team to create a talent pipeline to take the business
forward, anyone joining an industry for the first time will want to see options for career progression. Apprenticeships provide solutions for both parties, with a structured training plan leading to accredited qualifications. The BMF now offers 50 apprenticeship courses in England and 10 courses in Wales. Apprenticeships not only help newcomers to the sector to quickly develop essential competencies, but also continue to expand colleagues’ knowledge and skills throughout their career. Emphasising the opportunities for career progression is an important element in attracting people to our sector. The Institute of Builders Merchants, the professional body for the builders merchants’ industry, can provide valuable support to individuals as they develop their career.
We have been working to further define and clarify the vision, mission and values of the IOBM, with clear criteria for each of four grades of membership linked to the achievement of accredited qualifications, practical experience and relevant CPD. Our task now is to build recognition, that being a member of the IOBM is the mark of excellence for an individual and the proof of an employer’s commitment to the professional development of their people. BMJ
• Find out more at the IOBM Conference on 26 November, contact
Jason.Huddlestone@
bmf.org.uk for details and to book your place.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2024
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